Sacrificium (Xandria album)

Sacrificium is the sixth studio album by German symphonic metal band Xandria.[3] The record was released on 2 May 2014 via Napalm Records.

Sacrificium
Studio album by
Xandria
Released2 May 2014 (2014-05-02)
StudioSandlane Recording Facilities, The Netherlands
Gate Studios, Germany
GenreSymphonic metal, power metal,[1] heavy metal
Length66:21
LabelNapalm
ProducerMarco Heubaum, Joost van den Broek
Xandria chronology
Neverworld's End
(2012)		 Sacrificium
(2014)		 Fire & Ashes
(2015)
Singles from Sacrificium
  1. "Dreamkeeper"
    Released: 4 April 2014
  2. "Nightfall"
    Released: 24 April 2014
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal Underground[2]
My Global Mind9/10[1]

In Latin, the word sacrificium means the performance of an act that renders something sacer, sacred. Sacrifice reinforced the powers and attributes of divine beings, and inclined them to render benefits in return (the principle of do ut des).

Background

According to the band, the new album will "continue the musical journey and direction" of their last album, Neverworld's End, but "will bring in even more of everything people liked" about it.

Right before recording began, the band parted ways with their singer of three years, Manuela Kraller. She was replaced by Dutch singer Dianne van Giersbergen, who also fronts the progressive metal band, Ex Libris.[4][5] This record is also the first album to feature Steven Wussow on bass.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Marco Heubaum (except where noted)

Standard & Mediabook Edition – CD 1
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Sacrificium" Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen10:04
2."Nightfall" Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen, Christian Steenken3:54
3."Dreamkeeper"  4:36
4."Stardust"  5:31
5."The Undiscovered Land"  7:22
6."Betrayer"  6:04
7."Until the End"  5:37
8."Come with Me" Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen, Christian Steenken4:56
9."Little Red Relish"Dianne van Giersbergen 4:32
10."Our Neverworld"  3:44
11."Temple of Hate"  5:48
12."Sweet Atonement"Dianne van GiersbergenMarco Heubaum, Nicolas Rebscher, Alexander Kim Lange4:13
Total length:66:21
Mediabook Edition – CD 2
No.TitleMusicLength
1."The Watcher" (Bonus Track) 4:43
2."Sacrificium" (Instrumental)Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen10:04
3."Nightfall" (Instrumental)Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen, Christian Steenken3:54
4."Dreamkeeper" (Instrumental) 4:36
5."Stardust" (Instrumental) 5:31
6."The Undiscovered Land" (Instrumental) 7:25
7."Betrayer" (Instrumental) 6:04
8."Until the End" (Instrumental) 5:37
9."Come with Me" (Instrumental)Marco Heubaum, Benjamin Schwenen, Christian Steenken4:55
10."Little Red Relish" (Instrumental) 4:33
11."Our Neverworld" (Instrumental) 3:44
12."Temple of Hate" (Instrumental) 5:48
13."Sweet Atonement" (Instrumental)Marco Heubaum, Nicolas Rebscher, Alexander Kim Lange4:13
Total length:71:07

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Austrian Albums Chart[6] 71
German Albums Chart[7] 25
Swiss Albums Chart[8] 48
UK Albums Chart[9] 176
US Top Heatseekers[10] 25

Personnel

All information from the album booklet.[11]

Xandria

  • Dianne van Giersbergen – vocals
  • Marco Heubaum – guitar, producer
  • Philip Restemeier – guitar
  • Steven Wussow – bass
  • Gerit Lamm – drums

Additional musicians

  • Amanda Somerville – narration
  • Mark Burnash – narration
  • Ben Mathot – violin
  • McAlbi – tin whistle, low whistle
  • Johannes Schiefner – bagpipes
  • Jonas Pap – cello
  • PAdam Chamber Choir – choir

Choir

  • Maria van Nieukerken – choir conductor
  • Annette Stallinga, Annette Vermeulen, Karen Langendonk, Marie Anne Jacobs, Angus van Grevenbroek, Gijs Klunder, Jan Douwes, Alfrun Schmid, Annemieke Nuijten, Aukje Vergeest, Frederique Klooster, Martha Bosch, Daan Verlaan, Koert Braches, Ruben de Grauw

Production

  • Joost van den Broek – producer, recording, engineering, keyboards, programming
  • Stefan Heilemann – artwork, layout, photography
  • Arne Wiegand – engineering assistant
  • Jos Driessen – engineering assistant
  • Sascha Paeth – producer, recording, engineering, mixing

References
  1. "Xandria – Sacrificium Review". Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  2. "Metal Underground: Xandria – Sacrificium". Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  3. "New album: cover, title, release date, and tour". xandria.de. 7 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  4. "XANDRIA: New Album Title, Cover Artwork, Release Date Revealed". blabbermouth.net. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  5. "Announcement". xandria.de. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  6. Hung, Steffen. "Xandria – Sacrificium". austriancharts.at.
  7. "officialcharts.de". Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  8. Hung, Steffen. "Xandria – Sacrificium – hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch.
  9. "Xandria: 'Sacrificium' First Week Chart Positions - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  10. "Sacrificium". Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  11. (2014). "Sacrificium liner notes". In Sacrificium [CD booklet]. Napalm.
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